Cholesterol is a natural and important substance in the body, but having too much of it—especially LDL cholesterol, also known as “bad” cholesterol—can be dangerous.
When cholesterol builds up in the arteries, it can block blood flow and raise the risk of heart disease and strokes.
To help lower high cholesterol, many doctors prescribe medications called statins. Statins work by reducing the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and are very effective for many people.
However, statins don’t work well for everyone. Some people who take statins experience muscle pain, joint discomfort, or other side effects that make it hard to continue using them. Others may take statins but still need extra help to lower their cholesterol to a safe level.
That’s where a newer drug called bempedoic acid comes in. This medication is offering new hope for people who can’t take statins or who need more help getting their cholesterol under control. At a recent medical meeting held by the Endocrine Society in Chicago, researchers shared encouraging results about this new drug.
The study, which was funded by Esperion Therapeutics—the company that developed bempedoic acid—looked at how well the drug worked in people who had trouble with statins. The results were promising.
People who took bempedoic acid saw their LDL cholesterol drop by an average of 21%. In addition, the risk of major heart problems like heart attacks and strokes dropped by 13% in the group taking the drug.
One big question researchers asked was whether bempedoic acid could protect the heart in the same way as statins. The answer appears to be yes. When bempedoic acid lowered cholesterol by a similar amount as statins, the patients experienced a similar drop in heart disease risk.
This means bempedoic acid could be just as helpful in preventing heart attacks and strokes for the right people.
This finding is important because heart disease continues to be one of the top causes of death around the world. Having more treatment options can help doctors better care for patients who need different solutions.
Dr. A. Michael Lincoff from the Cleveland Clinic, one of the main researchers, said that cardiovascular disease is a global issue and that bempedoic acid offers a valuable new choice for managing cholesterol.
For those who can’t take statins or who still struggle with high cholesterol even while using them, bempedoic acid might offer a new way to protect their heart and live a healthier life. It’s a step forward in giving more people the chance to control their cholesterol and reduce their risk of serious heart problems.
The development of bempedoic acid shows how ongoing research and innovation can lead to better health outcomes. As science continues to move forward, new treatments like this one bring hope to those who need it most.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about the stuff in your mouth that can increase heart attack risk and statin alternative lowers risk of heart disease as well as cholesterol levels.
For more about heart health, please read studies that Manganese can help clear arterial plaques and treat heart disease and Aspirin use linked to heart failure.
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